Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst could be first home for new air tankers

6:02 AM,
Jan. 10, 2013

The KC-46A is intended to replace the Air Force's aging fleet of KC-135 Stratotankers.

Written by

Kirk Moore
| @Kirk MooreAPP

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is one of five candidate bases on the list to receive the first next-generation KC-46A air refueling tankers when they roll off Boeing's assembly line in the coming decade, to replace tankers still flying that date to the mid-20th century Cold War.

The Air Force announced its list Wednesday and included only two East Coast locations, the Joint Base in New Jersey and Pease Air National Guard base in New Hampshire. In a letter to defense officials, New Jersey's congressional delegation contends the Joint Base's facilities make it the superior choice.